Eight "Bible" Reasons Why Christians Shouldn't Smoke!
Watchman ----Billy Blankenship-----ud 11/11/2011
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They say there are "two things" that people shouldn't talk about! "Politics and religion"! I say, there is "one" more that needs discussed, namely tobacco". The reason being, that tobacco kills more people each year than even the terrible scourge of alcohol! When you bring up the subject with a smoker, there will be about "seventeen" stories someone will tell, as to why "Tobacco" has nothing to do with cancer-copd-heart attacks-strokes-death, or many other illnesses.
Did you know dear friend, that they don't even place a warning sign on a "whiskey bottle"? But you can't open a pack of cigarettes, without reading the warning signs on each package? Signs are on billboards-magazines-and, everything that relates to tobacco. "This tobacco can cause cancer"! When you try to warn, or even suggest to a friend that smoking is dangerous to his/her health, you begin to hear the same excuses over, again and again.
"My old grandma smoked for 60 years and it didn't kill her! Or, you have to die from something, so why not cigarettes? Or, how about drinking coffee, that could be bad for your health? Another will add: "What about overeating "gluttony", isn't that a sin"? You can get side-tracked on a lot of different stories, if you even mention the word "tobacco". Those are just a few of the answers and excuses for smoking, but the last one we will mention here is: "Just where in the Bible does it say you can't smoke, many will ask"?
Smoking is dangerous for "anyone", "Christian, or non-Christian"! But for the Christian it is not only a great hindrance to ones health, it is also very bad for their own testimony to sinners. "Babes in Christ", (young Christians), when they watch the older, or, more mature Christian, doing the same thing they are doing, they ask a very logical question: "what's the difference in you smoking, and me smoking"? No sinner, wants to see a Christian smoking, while trying to tell him/her about living for the Lord, and, how they should have "their life changed", when it looks apparent to them, there is little change in the Christian's own life! I will now provide for you at least 8 Biblical reasons why Christians "shouldn't smoke"!
"I am well aware, that little will be changed in many lives, (including Christians), because of this message". I think I could also safely say: That even reading scriptures (from the Holy Bible) will change very few, concerning their tobacco habit. I'll go even one step further: "I don't believe that if Jesus Christ were here in person, He would be able to change everyone"! For every scriptural reason someone gives a Christian for "not" using tobacco, many will come up with a hundred other sins that they say are just as bad. So, you go full circle. But here are some teachings from the Word of God concerning our bodies, and, I will now leave them all with you. After listening to them, the decision is then yours, and YOU decide which road you should take.
EIGHT BIBLE REASONS FOR CHRISTIANS TO NOT SMOKE!
(1) Tobacco cannot be used to glorify God.
1st Corinthians 6:19.What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, and which you have of God, and ye are not your own?
20.For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Your body is "not your own" to do with as you please! If you are a Christian, It is the Temple (the place where the Holy Ghost resides.) You have been bought with a price, (the blood of Jesus.) God paid for you, and, has the Holy Spirit to dwell inside your temple (your body.) You cannot glorify God in your body by using tobacco.
(2) Tobacco produces disease of the heart, cancer of the lungs, hypertension, cancer of the mouth, emphasima, asthma, and a host of other diseases. It has been scientifically proven, that there are "over 200 poisons in tobacco" (other than nicotine!)
1st Cor. 3:17.If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.
We have many precious promises in the Word of God, but, we also have warnings, and this solemn promise from God Himself. "that if we defile the temple of God", that God Himself will destroy him! (Speaking here of the Christian.) God is so concerned about where His Holy Spirit dwells, that it is serious enough to have God destroy a person. (Very serious indeed.) Remember, his word says .HIM will God destroy! How will God destroy a person you ask?
One way man can be destroyed, is by the personal use of the tobacco itself, and, due to the damage and "many diseases it produces as we previously mentioned! ". Hypertension- and hundreds of other illnesses. A true story that recently happened in recently. A young man I knew, gave his heart to the Lord several years ago. He continued to use tobacco for several years. He had ask me in years past, what (I thought) about smoking? I said, "NO ONE should smoke due to the danger it produces, but (especially a Christian".) He never stopped smoking. Thiis young man died, while praying for his healing at the same time. He had Bibles in every room of the house, and maintained that God was going to heal him.
If we willfully destroy our body knowingly, God is not obligated to heal us, regardless of all of the healing scriptures we read or quote. {editor update} The young man died, leaving a beautiful family. The tobacco "nicotine" won out over his payers.
(3) It is a money wasting habit.
I have observed over the years, as men took many items from their homes to sell, just for the purpose of purchasing tobacco. Jesus never believed in wasting anything. He was so thoughtful of the things He had, that once He even gave His disciples this order.
John 6:11-12.And Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12.When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
If Jesus was so concerned about the loaves and fishes, do you think He would want you to waste your health, your money, and sell needed items from the house for tobacco, "which not only is a killer, but the money could be used for many good things for the family"?
(4) It is an infringement on the rights of others.
No one should be forced to endure the nauseous smell, or odor, of burning tobacco. For the person who doesn't smoke, tobacco has a foul smelling odor. If we wish to respect the rights of others, we can remember the words of the apostle Paul.
Galatians 5:14.For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even unto this; Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself.
If you loved your neighbor, would you attempt to blow smoke around them, especially if they were non-smokers? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", is also a good scripture to remember. The apostle Paul was greatly concerned about offending the brethren, or, causing the weak brother to stumble. One of the strongest scriptures in the Bible of offending others, can be found in 1st Corinthians 8: 9.But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.12.But when ye sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ..
13.Wherefore, if meat makes my brother to offend, (or offends my brother). I will eat no flesh as long as the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (Or offend my brother.)
If "eating meat" would offend someone, how much more so, when sinners, or young Christians, watch a brother or sister in the Church, constantly using the deadly poisonous tobacco?
(5) It is the wrong example to set before the young.
As Christians, we have been given a different set of guidelines to live by. The Word of God tells us, that we should:
Matt. 5:16.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your goods works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Are we letting our light shine and showing our good works, when the world watches the Christian puffing like a steam engine every day?
2nd Cor. 5:17.Therefore if any man be in Christ (is a Christian) he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.
Smoking, is one of the first "visible signs" to a sinner, that we are not walking as we should as Christians! Some sinner may ask you: "what old things have passed away, and, what things have become new in your life" you still do some of the same things I do?
MAKING A POINT HERE
Some folks will say pertaining to non-smoking Christians: "Just because they don't smoke, they act so religious"! Others will say: "You don't want to go to that church, they are really down on smoking"! While others say: "they just try to be so Holy"! So, aside from being called "so religious, and so Holy", SMOKING WILL STILL KILL YOU! You don't need to go to Church, or have any Bible to tell you that! The many thousands that die every year due to tobacco use, shows emphatically, and with documented proof, that tobacco is a KILLER! Tobacco is a testimony in itself as to it's danger! Do you think that God is for something, that will "knowingly" kill, or destroy you?
(6) It is a filthy habit! Regardless of how we may try and justify it. Smoking, and spitting tobacco, is a filthy habit. Enough so, for the apostle Paul to make this statement.
2nd Cor: 7:1.Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Notice also, that the Bible says: "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh. It is not something that God is going to swoop down and do for us-we are supposed to get involved in the process also! WE are not discussing which sin is the worst sin in the world, but, we are stating why SMOKING IS WRONG FOR A CHRISTIAN! ANY CHRISTIAN!
With the many scriptures we have read already, it should be very obvious, that it is OUR BODY that the Holy Spirit seeks to dwell in, and, that "nicotine" with all of it's dreaded diseases, is not a place where He wishes to dwell. If God is not concerned about our bodies, WHY ALL OF THESE SCRIPTURES RELATING TO DEFILING OUR BODY WITH DISEASE?
Some will be quick to say at this point: "There are a lot of other things worse than tobacco"! We are not speaking of a "lot of other things" here, we are speaking only of tobacco.
(7) It is a bad and dangerous habit.
It is such a bad habit, that when once it gets formed in an individual, IT HOLDS ONE IN BONDAGE! I want to elaborate on this one point a little. I have seen so many of my dear friends, that seem completely powerless under this addiction. I do love them, and I feel deeply for them. I have watched as they have tried "patches" "pills", "special programs", "support groups", "and, also watch as they stand in every prayer line going", and little, or nothing has happened! Smoking is not just a habit-IT IS AN ADDICTION the same as alcohol and pills are an addiction!
Tobacco, is a "bad and evil habit", the bondage of it's grip is strong! Once "nicotine" has it's vicious hold, there are very few people that are able to (break it) or quit using tobacco on their own. Again, the reason for this short message! I can tell you, that through nearly 42 years of (smoke free living) THERE IS A WAY, AND IT WORKS! Always remember, God will only deliver someone that wants deliverance, and "really wants to quit using tobacco"! I should make this statement over, and over, for it is true!
He will never deliver anyone (who wants to continue in their habit) whither it be nicotine, alcohol, or any other drug. The Bible tells us that: God is no respecter of persons! It goes on to state: if we have respect of persons we sin"! Dear friend, the good news in this message is: God will set you free from the bondage of tobacco (nicotine) if you will come to Him with all of your heart, and, tell Him you desperately want to quit, AND YOU NEED HIS HELP FOR DELIVERANCE!
God loves you no less, than the many thousands He has set free in the past. God wants to set you free! He can, and will, if you are serious and mean business with Him. He knows your heart and your innermost thoughts. As a Christian, Paul mentioned in the above scripture: Let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from all the filthiness of the flesh. With God's help, YOU lay it aside-YOU quit-YOU stop, the thing that is not only destroying your body, but greatly hindering your Christian testimony! Here is a very important piece of advice, you should well take heed:
Quit praying those UNSCRIPTURAL prayers, asking God to make you sick the next time you smoke, so you won't WANT to smoke any more. LISTEN UP! GOD "IS NOT" GOING TO EVER TAKE YOUR FREE WILL AWAY FROM YOU! HE "IS NOT" GOING TO MAKE YOU QUIT WHAT "YOU WANT TO DO"! I HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE KNOWN, MANY Christian's, that came to the Lord sincerely with all of their heart, and God has set them free completely! Most of them, INSTANTLY! God doesn't need any help from a lot of other sources, He can do it all by Himself.
When God sets you free, there will be no withdrawals-no nervous disorders-no need to go on an eating binge-no need for patches-no need to "taper off"- but you can be FREE, AND I MEAN FREE! From the time I got up from my knees in January 1969, I have been totally free from tobacco-booze-and many other things. If the Son make you FREE you are free indeed. It is so great to feel free from the bondage of nicotine!
When you are ready my Christian friend, to ask God for His divine help and real deliverance, and when you really mean it in your heart, HE WILL HELP YOU AT THAT POINT! A church member asked me one time while riding home in the back seat of my car, he said: "Brother Bill, will you pray that God will take this cigarette habit from me"? I said: "Brother, do you really want to stop smoking"? He said, yes I do! I said OK, roll down my window where you are sitting, and take those cigarettes out of your shirt pocket, and throw them out in the street! He said: "What"? I said: "You don't want to quit smoking". I don't know that he ever did.
You may also need help in prayer, with other concerned and dedicated Christians who love you, and want to see you set free. Remember, you are not the only Christian that has been bound by nicotine! There are others also, that know just what you are going through. God will set you free from your addiction "if you want deliverance" and ask in faith believing His promises. I must add also, I have seen many a precious soul, that has come to the Lord (or the Lord came to him) who instantly, and never again used tobacco.
The preacher never had to tell them that it was wrong-he didn't have to tell them it was against their Church rules-HE DIDN'T HAVE TO TELL THEM THAT THEY COULDN'T HOLD AN OFFICE IN THE Church if they smoked-NO, he/she instantly, being led by the Holy Spirit, gave it up completely! YOU CAN TOO! If you have the strength to ask God, He will set you free.
Matthew 7:8.Ask and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8.FOR EVERYONE THAT ASKETH RECEIVETH; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Emphasis mine) Last but certainly not least:
(8) JESUS DIDN'T USE TOBACCO! IF IT WAS SUCH A "GOOD THING" HE WOULD HAVE TOLD US, FOR HE SAID:
"THAT HE WOULD WITHOLD "NO GOOD THING" FROM US". TOBACCO IS NOT A GOOD THING!
While Peter was speaking to the five Churches in 1st Peter, V. 1. He began to speak of the need of following Christ. Telling the Churches how to handle themselves in this world, he added these words:
1:21.For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps.
We need not ask the question, did Jesus use tobacco? We know that it is a ridiculous question. Would you go to a Synagogue where Jesus had just finished his cigarette, while at the same time He is telling you, that "your body was the temple of the Holy Ghost", and you shouldn't defile the temple? I doubt it! Always remember, as a Christian, when sharing Christ (telling others) about Jesus, that all the God (the sinner sees,) "is YOU"! YOU represent Christ on this earth, whither you are a "laymen" in the Church, or a (great Prophet!) Also remember this, that most sinners will not believe, "that God can do anymore for them, than they see Him do for you"!
If they can see no "visible change" in your life, it is unlikely he will believe God will, (or can) make any change in him. I am well aware that the Bible tells us that "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart"! The great problem being: (The sinner cannot see your heart!) The time and nonsense of telling someone else: "don't do as I do, do as I say" is long gone. I am going to end this message with one more scripture, and a closing comment!
1st Peter, 4:18.And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
I am going to leave you with perhaps "one of the most important questions you have ever been asked in your lifetime"! It could mean your very soul!
Thousands of Christians, have asked this most solemn and serious question, again and again! Is it a sin to use tobacco? So, I will ask you a question! Of all the many times you have asked that very same question, and, regardless of who you have asked, "what was your reason for asking"? Did you have doubts about defiling God's temple? Why would you ask someone else again, and again, unless you wasn't sure yourself? Were you looking for someone to agree with you, or, did you want the truth?
If you KNEW FOR SURE, that you had been living for the Lord as best you knew how, (remember if the righteous scarcely be saved) and in your heart and mind over the years, you had always been troubled in spirit, and, a great uncertainty about your use of tobacco, if so, then think on this!
IF YOU KNEW FOR SURE, THAT USING TOBACCO WAS WRONG (A SIN) WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO "TAKE YOUR CHANCES ANYWAY" WHEN THE BOOKS ARE OPENED? Would it not be a terrible tragedy and a wasted lifetime, to stand before God knowing that the one thing you refused to get rid of, prevented you from entering Heaven, and helped send you to HELL? Remember, we will all give an account for the things done "in the body". Smoking, is in the body! You may say: "I don't think using tobacco is a sin"!
THAT DECISION IS ALL YOURS NOW! YOU DECIDE! BUT, IF YOU MISJUDGE IN YOUR CALCULATIONS, AND MAKE THE WRONG DECISION, YOU WILL ONE DAY KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THROUGHOUT ALL ETERNITY, WHITHER OR NOT IT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION!
Where you go to Church, do your Deacons use tobacco? Does your Pastor use tobacco? If not, why not? Will he tell you (one way or the other), "WHITHER IT IS A SIN" for fear of upsetting you or offending you? Ask your Pastor this all important question! Tell him to make his answer plain so you can understand it! If he is God's man, he will be happy to show you what God's Word speaks about defiling God's temple. If after listening to all of the above scriptures, and you are still unable to get your answer, and you are still unconvinced, I don't know what it will take to help you see clearly.
2nd Cor.5:10.For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.
One thing I have observed over the last 42 years, that most individuals when coming to Christ (repenting of their sins-getting saved) will stop their many habits, (cursing-tobacco-drinking-etc. immediately!) Most, have never had the Pastor tell them that tobacco was wrong, (a sin). They just quit -period! The Holy Spirit prompted them to quit! Is He different with some folks, than others? Why is it, that so many today never miss a stroke of their old habits? Doesn't the Holy Spirit tell them also, that tobacco defiles the temple? 1st Cor. 3:17
I write this with no feelings of superiority, but with love. I see so many bound today, like a common slave to this dreadful habit. You make your choice after listening to this message. Pray over your decision, for it can have serious eternal consequences. We see many drivers today, wearing the initials on the bumper of their car: WJJD! So, we end with that note, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
If you have been struggling with the thoughts of tobacco, I trust that some of the scriptures you have heard will help you resolve your concerns.
No Christian should have any feelings of "superiority" by his/her not using tobacco, but, they should feel the hurt and need for their fellow brother/sister to be set free as he is. Pray for those in that nicotine bondage. Let them know that God can help them (the same as He helped you with your addiction.)
If we can be of any further help, please email us at the address below.
May God's blessings and peace rest upon you, as you seek to live and do His will. We pray that your decision about this message will please God. He, and He alone, has the decision making power as to where we spend eternity. God bless as you seek to please Him.
Yours because of Calvary
Brother Billy Blankenship.
e-mail address: globaloutreach2@msn.com
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